I have a scanned PDF file which is an application form, and a picture which is the scanned version of my signature (for example, this one) and can be in any image format such as EPS or PNG. I would like to put the signature picture on the blank space right to "APPLICANT:" on the second page of the application form. I wonder how to do that?

I have tried the following methods, but none succeeded:

The first way is using gimp. I first import the application form into gimp, and then paste the signature picture on the space right to "APPLICANT:" on the second page of the application form.

The problems are that:

It seems that I can only import one page of the application form into gimp, not all of the two pages.

Also when I save the modification, the closest format to PDF I can save to is PS, and the resolution has been downgraded and the storage size of the saved file is 10 times bigger than the original application form and the signature picture.

The second way is using Libreoffice Draw. I have installed the libreoffice-pdfimport package. But after I import the application form into Libreoffice Draw,

all the scanned content is not imported, and

the layout is different from the layout of the original
application form.

So what other ways can I try? I would prefer some way that can lay the signature picture directly on the application form PDF file,

without having to convert between formats,

without having to create much bigger files while keeping the original resolution,

without having to split and combine pages of a multi-page pdf file,

without having to rasterize other parts of the PDF file, i.e. without losing the text that I added later to the application form PDF file by having to convert the whole PDF into images.

Though not a native application, see this answer:askubuntu.com/a/35679/4923 this application can also insert images in existing pdfs quite well.
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SabaconJan 25 '12 at 16:35

In the gimp, you can select the print option and export it to pdf that way; the cups-pdf package gives more options than the default print to file. You could merge both pages together into one document beforehand.
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user76204Jul 23 '12 at 23:07

@Mik: (1) Does the cups-pdf package work within gimp? Can it reduces the storage size while keeping the original resolution? (2) Is there some way without having to split and combine pages of a multi-page pdf file?
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TimJul 23 '12 at 23:18

Yes you just go the print menu- there are resolution and other settings there. You should just be able to import the pdf into gimp, do what you want, and then export it as a pdf through the print menu.
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user76204Jul 23 '12 at 23:21

@Mik: What is cups-pdf used for? Is it used to convert files in other formats to files in pdf?
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TimJul 23 '12 at 23:56

Now, go to where you need to add your signature and insert an image by selecting the insert image tool.

Note: Xournal's insert image is a great addition but not polished. As soon as you add the image make sure to resize it and move it to where you want. For resize there's no ability to ensure the proportions stay the same. Just eye it. Once you are done, it is in its own layer, which you cannot change. If you don't like how it ends up delete that layer and start again.

One handy thing is that you can use ctrl-c as soon as you resize it and then ctrl-v the next time you need to insert your image. Assuming you want the same size image this will save you some time.

A downside to Xournal is the finished document looks like the fonts are converted to an image. Fonts are no longer as crisp. Still it looks better than if you printed and rescanned and is much faster. [Note: in my most recent experience it seems this problem has been solved. Maybe I just got lucky with the particular fonts used. Please leave a comment abt your experience and I'll update accordingly.]

I normally use Inkscape for PDF manipulations, I would suggest trying that. Similar to GIMP, it can only process single pages though. Its advantage is that you can manipulate the different objects in the pdf directly.
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noletiSep 1 '14 at 7:59

agree inkscape is good for pdf manipulation in many cases--but I think it is a very poor solution for someone trying to sign a multi-page contract.
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snowguySep 2 '14 at 14:35

Wow -- Xournal really works! In Ubuntu 14.04, you don't need to add the separate repo -- version 4.7 is available in the default repos.
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Sam KingSep 25 '14 at 3:52

I have found a way to do this, but it involves converting your signature image to pdf and then merging that with the target application form and then outputting a new document; the signature is added at the end of the document. It is quite simple to do and may be the easiest way to do it. Imagemagick is the program to install (if necessary) and use its convert function in this manner: convert original.pdf signature.pdf final.pdf.

Thanks! Can the signature picture be added not just at the end of the pdf file, but right to "APPLICANT:" in the middle of the second page?
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TimJul 24 '12 at 1:48

I think there is a way, but you would have to check the imagemagick settings, as I have only used the program in the manner described. If you can't get the signature where you want, you could fill in the forms using xournal, print them out, sign them, and then scan them in again.
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user76204Jul 24 '12 at 10:01

Is the software in the picture in your reply some frontend of Imagemagick, or something else? Do you add the signature picture in that software?
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TimJul 24 '12 at 11:00

The screenshot is from evince; but I think you should be able to get what you want with imagemagick or pdfshuffler or gscan2pdf. It will involve merging pdfs though.
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user76204Jul 24 '12 at 11:14

Thanks! I can't figure out how I can do my task in imagemagick, i.e. adding a signature picture not at the end of the application form pdf file. Is it possible to add the picture without having to rasterize other parts of the pdf file, i.e. without losing the text in the application form pdf file by having to convert the whole pdf into images?
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TimJul 24 '12 at 15:14

I think you were on the right track with GIMP. Why not capitalize on what you have done in GIMP and re-merge the PDF using something like PDF shuffler (has the capability to import postscript PS files).

Thanks! (1) What does "capitalize on what you have done in GIMP" mean? (2) Is there some way without having to split and combine pages of a multi-page pdf file?
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TimJul 23 '12 at 23:19

(1) Do it is gimp as you did and save it a PS file (2) Not to my knowledge which is why I suggest a PDF compiler. However there is a vast array of PDF editing software available in the USC. Have you looked at any of them e.g PDF Studio 7 Standard. There are too many for me to have total knowledge of all their functionality
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Stephen MyallJul 23 '12 at 23:27

is it possible to add the picture without having to rasterize other parts of the pdf file, i.e. without losing the text in the application form pdf file by having to convert the whole pdf into images?
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TimJul 24 '12 at 15:12

Tim, to avoid rasterasizing (as you have described) you will probably need to go back to the software you originally created the PDF in. You are facing these problems because you are using a scanned PDF.
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Stephen MyallJul 24 '12 at 15:48

The scanned pdf is all I have, but I have added some text on the scanned pdf (not shown in the link). if I further add signature picture on the pdf, how can I avoid rasterizing the whole pdf i.e. avoid losing the text I input?
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TimJul 24 '12 at 15:53

I've also been looking for a way to insert an image of my signature to a PDF. Funny how complicated this is. Many of the free tools out there let you insert a water mark, but you need to give x,y coordinate for where it goes, in other words "no gui." fine for a water mark, no good for a signature that needs to land on a line.

I just discovered PDF escape http://www.pdfescape.com/ which worked like a charm. online gui, let me easily upload a PDF and an image, and place/scale it as I needed.